Required skills

problemsolving skills to

determine rescue and recovery methods to use according to the routine situation

anticipate and mitigate hazards and risks

communication skills to

inform progress

interact with other members of the rescue team

teamwork skills to support others in the rescue operation

planning and organising skills to select equipment and resources

river reading skills including direction and speed of flow currents eddies and other hydrological features to enable safe conduct of rescue and recovery activities

throwing skills to throw rope and throwbags to reach a swimmer in white water

swimming skills in moving water to locate access rescue and tow a victim

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies

craft handling skills to control a craft on white water up to grade to locate access and rescue victim

effective knot typing skills to enable the construction of anchors and mechanical advantage systems

Required knowledge

understanding of the use of a and point tether system and its application

identifies low to high risk rescue options

rescue team roles and the incident command system

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all white water rescue and recovery activities

rescue and recovery equipment and resource types characteristics advantages and disadvantages and its care and maintenance to enable appropriate selection and use

hydrology and river grading systems to understand how rivers work and conduct safe rescues and recoveries on white water

hazards and risks associated with rescues and recoveries on white water up to Grade standard and how to safely negotiate or avoid these

aggressive and defensive swimming techniques to escape hazards

rescue and recovery techniques suitable to the routine conditions and experience of the participant

principles of mechanical advantage systems and contexts in which they are used

communication systems used on rivers to make intentions clear

first aid appropriate to location and level of responsibility

understanding of the use of a highline tyrolean system telfer lower and its application

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential

assesses rescue situation in a timely manner to identify potential hazards and risks and determines efficient rescue and recovery methods

selects and uses rescue equipment and resources including mechanical advantage systems in a variety of white water rescue and recovery situations

communicates with other members of the rescue team and adapts to problems or issues that may arise during white water rescues and recoveries to ensure safety of self and group

evaluates and reflects on own rescue and recovery performance to identify strengths weaknesses and areas that need improvement

carry out multiple rescues utilising the full range of rescue and recovery methods one of these being in a time critical environment

release and rescue an entrapped victim in a time critical environment

safely recover a wrapped pinned or breached craft using a mechanical advantage system ensuring equalisation of load and anchors to minimise damage to craft

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure conduct of rescues and recoveries in routine and predictable white water rapids that reflect local conditions and are of sufficient breadth to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must also ensure access to

a white water location with up to Grade standard white water

personnel for team based rescues

rescue recovery safety first aid and activityspecific equipment and resources

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge The following examples are appropriate for this unit

observation of selecting rescue and recovery equipment according to the routine situation

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of rescue and recovery techniques and potential white water hazards and risks

observation of performing rescues and recoveries of others using mechanical advantage systems and various rescue techniques

observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing currents or weather conditions

thirdparty reports from a supervisor detailing performance

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended for example

activityspecific units from activities performed on graded water such as rafting canoeing and kayaking

Guidance information for assessment

Assess may include:

Situation may include:

Hazards may include:

Risks may include:

Rescue and recovery methods must include:

Contextual issues may include:

Relevant legislation may include:

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

Equipment and resources may include:

Throw resources may include:

Tether a craft may include:

Entrapment may include:

Situations may include:

Mechanical advantage systems may include: